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12-15節--保羅的外邦人朋友

歌羅西書 第4章

昨天我們認識三位幫助保羅的猶太人朋友；今天，我們將認識他的三位外邦人朋友。保羅有很多不同國籍的朋友。這正好顯明基督的大能，使到一個偏狹的民族主義者，變成一個具備國際視野的佈道家。

以巴弗是歌羅西的信徒，所以他深知歌羅西教會的情況和需要。他沒有祈求神供應他們的物質需要；反之，他祈求神使他們在靈命上成長。以巴弗最渴望的，是歌羅西信徒能在基督裡得以長大成熟，能夠確知他們在基督裡的身分。我們最熱切祈求的是甚麼？是朋友是肉身需要，抑或他們的屬靈成長？

接著，我們便看見忠心的朋友路加，和背棄他的底馬。

保羅稱路加是「親愛的醫生」。保羅擁有治病的恩賜，但他仍然要一位醫生與他同行。可想而知，當保羅生病的時候，他是準備接受醫生的診斷和一般的藥物治療。

至於底馬，保羅在此沒有特別談論他。可是，在提摩太後書四章10節，保羅則指出底馬因貪愛世界而離開他。這是甚麼意思呢？他是否太顧惜生命，以致不願意為基督犧牲？或是他被羅馬的繁華所吸引，以致離棄信仰？

我們不能對底馬過於苛責，因為我們豈不也是一樣，經常重視世界甚於基督，重視錢財的保障甚於屬靈的能力？但願我們都以他為鑑。

他們是保羅的其中一些朋友，我們從保羅在信末的幾句簡單問候，便可見保羅如何珍惜朋友。我們對朋友又怎樣呢？我們關心朋友嗎？我們會為朋友禱告嗎？願我們都反省自己對待朋友的態度，並且求神幫助我們能愛護和珍惜朋友。

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PAULS GENTILE FRIENDS

Yesterday we noticed three Jewish friends who helped Paul. Today we look at three Gentile friends. Paul had a great capacity for friendship no matter what their nationality was.

What a great illustration of the power of Christ which I transformed a narrow-minded Jew into an international evan- I gelist.

Epaphras came from Colosse so he knew the circumstances of the church and its need. He did not pray for material blessings for them but pleaded with God for their spiritual development. Epaphras longed that the Colossian Christians might fully develop in Christ and become mature Christians, absolutely certain of their position in Christ. Which do we pray for the most? The physical health of our friends or their spiritual development?

Then there were Luke and Demas-the faithful friend and the unfaithful one.

Paul called Luke the beloved physician. Paul had the gift of healing yet he had a medical doctor travelling with him. Paul was prepared to use ordinary means and trained personnel when this was needed.

What about Demas? What happened to him? We would love to know more. Paul says nothing about him here. Is that silence significant? In 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul says that Demas J deserted him, having loved this present world. What does he mean? Did he love his own life too much to lay it down for Christ? Did the worldly attractions of Rome prove too much for him?

We must not be too hard on Demas. All too often we ourselves put this world before Christ and put material possessions before spiritual power. Let Demas be a warning to us all.

These were some of Pauls friends. Notice how much they meant to him. What about our friends? How many do we have? How much time do we spend with them? How often do we pray for them? Think over again the whole matter of friendship and ask God to make you the kind of friend he wants you to be.

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